# A Rare Pediatric Case of Chronic Toe Osteomyelitis Due to Contiguous Spread

## TL;DR

A rare case of chronic toe osteomyelitis in a child is described, resulting from an infection spread after surgical nail removal.

## Contribution

This paper presents a rare pediatric case of contiguous osteomyelitis following surgical nail removal due to persistent onychomycosis.

## Key findings

- Chronic osteomyelitis can result from contiguous spread following injury or surgery.
- Prompt diagnosis and interdisciplinary treatment are crucial for successful outcomes.
- Phalanx amputation was performed due to the severity of the infection.

## Abstract

Osteomyelitis is a relatively rare infection in children that can develop in the context of foot nail injuries. Contiguous osteomyelitis may develop from trauma, inoculation during surgical procedures, or from neighboring infected tissue. We present a rare case of a patient with contiguous osteomyelitis following surgical nail removal due to persistent onychomycosis. Considering the severity of the infection, a phalanx amputation was performed. Chronic osteomyelitis, which can result from the contiguous spread of infection following an injury, may lead to serious complications. Each type of osteomyelitis requires different treatment strategies, either medical or surgical. Prompt diagnosis is crucial for both prognosis and successful treatment. The latter mandates interdisciplinary interventions combining patient assessment, antibiotics, and surgery.